Project GLOW, D.C.’s annual electronic music festival, descends on the nation’s capital in less than three weeks. The festival has grown over the last couple of years, but organizers still consider it relatively small. That makes it the perfect place for newer fans of the genre and for people who don’t want to commit to a multi-day affair.
Whether this is your first time or your fifth (the festival has only run since 2022), we’re here to make your weekend as fun as possible.
Tip #1: Take the Metro
The D.C. Metro works great. It stays clean, runs reliably, and will fill with other attendees. Trains run frequently, with wait times generally topping out around 20 minutes. Because the Metro forms an essential part of D.C.’s transportation system, authorities heavily monitor it and lots of people use it, making it one of the safer public-transit options in the U.S. Take the Orange, Silver, or Blue line to Stadium–Armory Station, then walk about 10 minutes to the venue.
Although the festival offers some parking, organizers limit it and vendors charge high rates. Drivers for rideshare apps sometimes decline trips to congested areas or rides that will get stuck in traffic. Drivers also often avoid trips that cross the Potomac, so rides from the Virginia side can prove harder to find. The Metro usually offers the cheapest, safest, and fastest way to arrive on time.
Tip #2: Identify landmarks early
Landmarks keep you from getting lost when you separate from your group. We rely on cell phones, but festival crowds often choke cell service until it becomes unreliable or stops working. Pick a central meeting point and a time (for example, meet at a specific food vendor at 5:45 PM) so everyone stays safe.
Also pick a totem (one of those large signs people hold up in the crowd) if someone needs a bathroom break or a moment away from the crowd. People who hold totems usually stay with them, so you can count on that spot. A reliable plan sounds like: “I’m going to the bathroom. Don’t move — I’ll look for the Barack-coli totem to find you.” (Yes, I once used that sign as a landmark.)
Tip #3: Use the back of the porta-potties
Porta-potties remain an unfortunate festival necessity. Move in and out quickly. Festivals usually cluster porta-potties in one area, which turns into a maze of units. Many attendees join the first lines they see, which makes the first 20 or so units extremely overused and creates long waits. Weave through the crowd to the back of the cluster. You’ll often find units with little to no line and toilet paper left.
Tip #4: See the artist you don’t know
Festivals offer the best chance to discover new artists. Seeing someone live lets you experience their vision, hear their sound, and meet their fans all at once. You can’t get that immersive feeling without attending the show. Instead of camping at the rail for a headliner, explore the stages and catch acts you haven’t heard. You might discover the next big thing and get to say you saw them before they blew up. Also it means a lot to the artists :).
Credit: Nora En Pure at Project GLOW
Tip #5: Embody PLUR
I could list plenty of do’s and don’ts, but it all comes down to this: be the person you want to stand next to in a crowd, open your heart to the people around you, and have fun. Attendees make or break a festival. You might think you only affect yourself, but your vibe impacts everyone you meet, vendors, security, and media included. PLUR forms a core part of raver identity and has helped keep the scene inclusive and welcoming. Let’s all enter every festival with that mindset.
Credit: Annemarie Smith for Project GLOW
We hope you have a fun and safe festival!
